Australia’s mental health care system teeters on the edge

PATIENT safety may be jeopardised as Australia's mental health care system teeters on the edge due to fewer empty hospital beds and longer ER waiting times.

Flinders University researcher Stephen Allison says a push to reduce funding of hospital-based psychiatric units in favour of community-based programs could be the tipping point for the mental health system.

Writing in Monday's Medical Journal of Australia, Associate Professor Allison said the National Mental Health Commission's recent recommendations would have a major impact on people experiencing a significant crisis, including those at risk of suicide.